The KhPI Scientific School of Chemistry

The development of chemical science is inherently connected with the functioning of the system of higher technical education, the main tasks of which include training of highly qualified engineering personnel and conducting of basic and applied research.

The history of Kharkiv Technological Institute is an essential part of the formation and development of national technical education. There were mechanical and chemical departments since the Kharkiv Technological Institute foundation. Starting upon the first admission of students, the professional training of specialists at Kharkiv Technological Institute corresponded to the quality level from «engineer-generalist» to «specialist in the relevant field of chemical technology».

Formation of chemistry as a science and a complex of academic disciplines at Kharkiv Practical Technological Institute (KhPTI) and Kharkiv Technological Institute (KhTI) connected with the creation of chemical and technological departments and the formation of auxiliary educational subdivisions. Research areas and student specialization were formed due to the scientific and pedagogical activity of the first lecturers.

The high level of teaching of basic courses in chemistry and chemical technology at the institute was provided by involving lecturers who had classical and technological education, were trained in the best foreign polytechnic schools and had practical professional experience. Professor M. D. Zuiev gave lectures and carried out research in the field of food and sugar production technology. During the 1886–1887 academic year, Academician M. M. Beketov gave a course in physical chemistry.

The assignment of lecturers to positions usually coincided with the creation of a new academic discipline, so they not only started conducting scientific research into this branch of chemical technology, but also created an educational and methodological base.

The organization and development of scientific research and the educational process in chemistry at KhTI directly depended on the improvement and proper functioning of the material and technical resources. The general structure of the institute provided the functioning of such auxiliary subdivisions for serving the needs of the chemical department: libraries, special classrooms, laboratories and workshops.

KhTI laid the foundation for creation of the following fundamental scientific schools of chemical industry:

Technology of Inorganic Substances, Theoretical Foundations of Heat and Mass Transfer, Kinetics and Catalysis of the Processes of Bound Nitrogen and Environmental Problems (1888). Founders: Academician Ye. I. Orlov, Professor V. O. Hemilian, Professor I. Ye. Adadurov and Academician V. I. Atroshchenko. Today the school is headed by Professor O. Ya. Loboiko.

Technique and Technology of Structural Ceramics, Glass and Enamels (1910). Founders: Academician Ye. I. Orlov, Academician P. P. Budnykov, Academician A. S. Berezhnoi. Today the school is headed by Professor M. I. Ryshchenko.

Theoretical and Practical Problems in Electrochemistry.  Founders: Professors M. P. Klobukov and A. M. Sysoiev. Today the school is headed by Professor H. H. Tulskyi.​

Automated Energy Saving Systems, Large-Scale Production, Methods of Environmental Monitoring and Control. Founders: Academician V. I. Atroshchenko, Professors V. T. Yefimov, I. I. Lytvynenko and V. I. Toshynskyi. Today the school is headed by Professor M. O. Podustov.

Modification of Polymeric Materials and Composite Systems Based on Them. Founders: Academician P. P. Karpukhin, Professors B. M. Rudenko and I. M. Nosalevych. Today the school is headed by Professor V. L. Avramenko.

Creation of Progressive Paints and Varnishes with a Set of Specified Properties. Founders: Professors H. L. Yukhnovskyi and B. M. Rudenko, Corresponding Member P. P. Karpukhin. Today the school is headed by Professor A. M.  Karateiev.

Synthesis of Organic Dyes and Intermediate Products (1892). Founders: Professors V. O. Hemilian and O. P. Lidov, Academician M. I. Kuznietsov and Corresponding Member P. P. Karpukhin. Today the school is headed by Professor L. V. Krychkovska.
Chemistry and Technology of Coke and By-Product Process and Conversion of Solid, Liquid and Gas Fossil Fuels. Founders: Professors O. P. Lidov and K. O. Bielov, Academician M. I. Kuznietsov. Today the school is headed by Doctor of Technical Sciences D. V. Miroshnychenko.
Study of Molecular Structure and the Synthesis of Biologically Active Substances. Founders: Academician M. O. Valiashko, Professor I. P Osypov. Today the school is headed by Professor O. V. Tsyhankov.

Creation of Surfactants for Increasing Gas Production. Founders: Academician M. O. Valiashko, Professor I. P. Osypov. Today the school is headed by Professor I. M. Fyk.

Chemistry and Technology of Fats (1885). The research area of the technology of surfactants and food products synthesis was appeared later. Founders: Professors O. P. Lidov, S. O. Fokin and B. N. Tiutiunnikov. Today the school is headed by Professor F. F. Hladkyi.
Biotechnology, Medical Drugs, Biotechnology of Chemical Raw Materials Processing, Bioenergy Technologies. Founders: Professors O. Y. Hunder, Yu. V. Korshun and M. F. Kleshchev. Today the school is headed by Professor O. M. Ohurtsov.

The collection of biographies «5000 Personalities of the World», published in the USA in 1990, included the names of four academicians-chemists of our university: Yehor Ivanovych Orlov, Vasyl Ivanovych Atroshchenko, Petro Petrovych Budnykov, Anatolii Semenovych Berezhnoi.